Page 32 of Omega’s Oath

She kept that to the forefront of her mind as she discussed things with her sister later. Aide had taken Jude for a walk around the block to give them privacy.

“All I’m saying is, we shouldn’t convict him before the police have had time to investigate.”

Cheryl looked at her with anger, her lips pinched in distaste. “You don’t know what you’re talking about, Rose. It was fine for you. You ran away to college and I had to stay and endure the constant digs about my life. What I did wrong, how I could do better. He and Mom fought all the time. He might’ve seemed like a sweet, broken man who just gave into Mom’s demands but behind closed doors he was different.”

“Cheryl, I know it was hard living with them, Mom especially, but you could have left. You could have got away. Dad was always the one who went along with things, Mom was the instigator in everything when we were kids and you know it.”

“Yes, she may have been but don’t think for one second he was innocent. He was the one in her ear and she just fired the bullets all the time.” Cheryl got up and began to pace. “And leave, how could I? I wasn’t smart like you. Where would I go? Marriage and kids were my only option. I love Ray and the kids, but it wasn’t like I had choices like you did. I was trapped.”

Rose felt guilty for not seeing what her baby sister was going through, like she’d abandoned her to a life with people she herself couldn’t wait to get away from. “I’m sorry, Cheryl. I had no idea you felt this way.”

Cheryl sat down and sighed. “Why would you? You had your own life and friends.”

“I know but I should’ve seen it.”

“There you go again trying to fix everything. Rose to the rescue again.”

That her sister saw her that way hurt, as did the snide tone she’d used but put it down to grief.

“You know, without me you wouldn’t even have that precious little boy you love so much!”

“What?” Rose had no idea how Cheryl had played a part in her having Jude.

“I work at the clinic where you got your donation, and I made sure you were top of the list.”

Rose wasn’t sure how she felt finding out that news. The thought it had taken until now for Cheryl to tell her didn’t sit well but maybe she was partly to blame. She was the oldest and should’ve made sure they were closer. “Thank you, Cheryl. I had no idea.”

“Yeah, well now you do.”

Rose sipped her fruit tea, which she was getting used to now, for something to fill the awkwardness that had descended. “Do you really think Dad killed her?” she asked her sister finally.

“Yes, I do. I think he got drunk, lost it, shot her, and went to bed like nothing happened.”

Rose didn’t voice her doubts but knew she’d discuss it with Aide later, he’d see it from a less emotional side of things. “What do you want for the funeral?”

“Keep it small, just family and as cheap as possible, I certainly don’t have the money for it.”

“I’ll cover the cost. Just let me know what you need.”

Rose saw her sister’s eyes flicker with hate but dismissed it as grief when she blinked and nodded. “Thanks. I’ll call you with a date.”

Cheryl stood and walked to the door as Rose followed. They exchanged an awkward hug at the door. “Maybe bring Ray and the kids next time. It would be nice to get to know them.”

“Yeah, I’ll do that.”

Rose watched as her sister reversed the brand-new Audi A8 out and drive away. She watched her go and realized she knew so little about her sister, including what her husband did. Whatever it was it must pay well for her to drive a car like that one, yet she’d said she couldn’t pay for a funeral for their mother. Rose didn’t care about paying for it, and maybe she should after leaving Cheryl to deal with her alone for so many years.

She wiped the conversation from her mind as she watched Aide walking up the street pushing the stroller. It was cold out and she should go inside but the simple pleasure of watching Aide in all his hotness pushing her son around was too much goodness to resist.

He was talking away to himself or maybe Jude, until he saw her and smiled wide. It hit her how much she loved this man. She’d taken a risk opening her heart to him after he’d flaked on her twice, but it was different this time. She could feel the change in him, like he was all in and he proved it every day. She still had moments of fear he’d decide that a ready-made family wasn’t for him, that she wasn’t enough and he’d leave, but that was on her because nothing he did or didn’t do proved that theory. He made her happier than she’d ever been, brought excitement into her life at the same time as he brought stability and she’d be forever grateful that she’d taken this chance on him.

“There’s Mommy.” Aide lifted the stroller through the door and stopped to kiss her, the heat between them sparking instantly the second he touched her. She moaned against his mouth as his tongue flicked hers and bit down gently on his bottom lip. Heat flooded her abdomen that had nothing to do with childbirth and everything to do with Aide and the effect he had on her.

“Hmm, that was a nice welcome home.”

He had one arm around her as he searched her eyes and face for her thoughts. “Everything okay?”

“Yes, it is now.”

Aide smiled and kissed her again, this time short and sweet, before he took Jude out and handed him over.

“Hey, baby boy, I missed you.”

She placed kisses on his sweet pink cheeks as she sat and removed his outer layers. Aide was the only person she trusted to look after Jude when she was asleep. She didn’t know if it was because he’d been there when Jude came into the world or if it was just Aide, but she knew he’d defend her son as fiercely as she would. It was funny how the stalker didn’t frighten her for her, whether that was Harlan or someone else.

The minute Jude was placed on her chest everything became about him, his safety, and his comfort. She understood now what people talked about when they said they would die for their kids. She knew she’d lie down on a busy highway for her son, or step in front of a bullet, she’d sleep on the streets if it meant he was taken care of. She’d work her ass off to make sure he had the life he deserved. Nothing and nobody would ever come before Jude, and Aide got that without even being told, he understood it all.

He shrugged off his coat and grabbed the menus from the kitchen, handing them to her. “Do you want pizza, tacos, or Chinese food for dinner?”

Rose quirked a brow. “Is that really a question?”

Aide grinned. “Pizza it is.”

They spent the evening cuddled on the couch watching TV. She fell asleep twice but every time she woke, Aide was either watching her or Jude, who was asleep in the Moses basket Penny had bought her, Aide’s face full of the love she knew he had for them.